Mustafa and Foster Propel Soccer to First Win of Season

Macon, Ga. – Playing down a man for the last 75 minutes of the game, the Wesleyan College soccer team defeated Tennessee Temple University by a score of 1-0 on Thursday night. Senior captains Cheyenne Foster and Azea Mustafa collaborated on the break-away goal scored in the 65th minute.


“I’m beyond excited about this win,” remarked Mustafa, who was credited with the goal on the play. “We had a lot of team unity tonight out on the field even though we were playing down a man.”

Foster picked up the ball near mid-field and carried it about half the distance to the goal before feeding it to Mustafa. Following a quick move to shake off the only Crusader defender in front of her, she chipped it over the goalkeeper’s head into the upper left hand corner.

Putting forth one of their best defensive efforts thus far this season, the Pioneers (1-4) held off a steady Crusader attack for 90 minutes with freshman goalkeeper Abby Stephens recording 19 saves in the match. Despite their good defensive showing, the effort proved costly as sophomore Stephanie Rarick went down with a knee early in the first half, adding to the Pioneers injury woes.

The game was delayed for one hour before the start of the second half due to lightning in the area. Returning to the field, the defensive back line fought hard to help the Pioneers end their 36-game winless streak dating back to the 2008 season.

“I think it’s a little ironic that we win the match where we had to play a man down,” added Foster. “The last time we won, which was during my freshman year, we beat Huntingdon with two players down, so I guess we just really focus in during those times when our backs are against the wall.”

Wesleyan returns to the pitch on Saturday, beginning Great South Athletic Conference play against rival Spelman College. The match begins at 5:00pm.